The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo has long used the famous slogan “This thing is legendary”. And, finally, after a year on the shelf due to the pandemic, the legend is back in business at Will Rogers Memorial Center and Dickies Arena.
The 2022 Stock Show & Rodeo begins Friday and will run until February 5, offering millions of stock prizes and bounties, plus a $1 million+ purse at the PRCA Tournament at Dickie’s Arena
“We are already feeling the excitement of our fans for The Stock Show,” said FWSSR President and CEO Brad Barnes. “Ticket sales were very strong, with many of our rodeo and concert shows nearly sold out, and admissions to our cattle and horse shows were also at high levels.”
“Clearly, the return to the Stock Show is on the calendar for thousands of people across the state and across the country,” he said.
There will be 25 rodeo performances at Dickies Arena. These include:
- Friday-Saturday (January 14-15) Best of West Ranch Rodeo.
- Sunday (January 16) Best of Mexico Celebraciòn.
- Monday (January 17) Cowboys of Color Rodeo.
- Tuesday-Wednesday (January 18-19) Bulls’ Night Out Xtreme Bull Riding.
- And, of course, the FWSSR Pro Rodeo tournament from January 21 to February 5.
Among the legions who are happy to see the return of the Stock Show & Rodeo is Fort Worth Councilman Leonard Firestone, who represents the council district (District 7) that includes the Stock Show grounds.
“I was out there the other day doing the Chisholm Challenge,” Firestone said. “It was so great to be there, to walk around. There was a sense of normalcy again. It’s such an important part of Fort Worth’s history. So many people go to see our beautiful city and all the wonderful things we have to offer.
“Also, don’t forget the economic impact, over $100 million. Hotels, bars, restaurants, the hospitality industry, it means so much to them to get it back.
Building on the celebration of the state’s Hispanic roots, the FWSSR Texas Invitational Mariachi Competition returns to showcase the best high school mariachi teams from across the state. The Stock Show has also expanded the beauty of the women’s tag team competition from Escaramuza to include the thrilling Charro Cala, featuring Alejandro Goñi Rojo, one of Mexico’s top horse and Cala trainers.
Horse racing enthusiasts will also enjoy the return of the popular Mustang Magic, as well as Mustang Showcase training clinics. Collegiate teams from Texas and Arkansas will help launch “Bridles and Brains,” a new concept in collegiate ranch horse competition that challenges both equestrian and communication skills.
The Moo-seum Experience grants visitors to the Stock Show access to nearby museums, courtesy of Central Market. General admission to the Stock Show will also include access to the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and the Cattle Raisers Museum.
Among the activities available at these museums will be “Enter the Stock Show,” a joint effort between the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and the Stock Show. Collaborative curatorial combines artifacts, videos and images provided by the Stock Show with technologies used by the Museum of Science and History to give visitors a unique look at the history and contemporary livestock exhibit .
Following the successful launch of its Auditorium concert series in 2020, the Stock Show has expanded the series to feature Grammy and Oscar-winning artists including; legendary rock band, Kansas; alternative country music group The Old 97’s; country music artist Clint Black; comedian Jeff Foxworthy; the Fort Worth Symphony, with vocalist Tony Vincent performing Queen’s music; and Ryan Bingham.
Meanwhile, the ever-popular traditional Stock Show entertainment options are also back. Thousands of animals will be on display this year competing for millions in auction and bounty revenue. Acres of “rodeo shopping” will include everything from fashion to farm equipment.
Family fun includes the Mattress Firm Petting Zoo, Children’s Barnyard, Carnival Midway, Texas Farm Bureau Insurance’s Planet Agriculture, and the ever-popular Milking Parlor.
Food is always a favorite with everything from corn dogs to cotton candy and cuisine fit for kings and queens at Reata at the Backstage or Reata at the Rodeo. Visitors can also relax with a glass of wine at the Corkyard or enjoy a beer and some tunes at the Bud Light Roadhouse.
Livestock auctions, one of the oldest features of the Stock Show, still include a variety of breeds of beef cattle. Sales begin on Saturday (January 15).
A total of 17 Stock Show auctions generated more than $8.8 million in trade when the show was held in 2020.
The Southwest Show Invitational Commercial Heifer Show and Sale will feature females with terrific genetics in multiple breeds, drawing a crowd of standing-only bidders. Senders of the sale are vying for $14,000 in bonuses, coveted banners, rosettes and all-important bragging rights ahead of the sale.
Additionally, the Sales President, Sales Manager, and Shippers offer a scholarship program that typically awards $12,000 to $14,000 each year.
“We are honored that these cattle breed associations have chosen the Stock Show as the host for their best sales,” said Stefan Marchman, Stock Show’s Breeding Manager. “We expect the auction to be dynamic as breeders seek to complement or improve their herd genetics with these exceptional animals.”
Livestock sales during the Stock Show will include:
- Saturday (January 15), 11 a.m., Premier Texas Longhorn.
- Saturday (January 15), 5 p.m., Premier Cowtown Elite Santa Gertrudis.
- Sunday (January 16), 5 p.m., National Braunvieh.
- January 21, noon, Best of the West Angus Bull.
- January 22, noon, Stars of Texas Angus Female.
- January 28, 3 p.m. Cowtown Cattle Drive Charolais.
- January 29, 5 p.m., Cowtown Classic Simmental.
- Jan. 30, 1 p.m., 52nd Annual Hereford Powerhouse.
- February 5, 3:30 p.m., Southwestern Exposition Invitational 35th Annual Commercial Heifer.
Buyers in the market for a regal American quarter horse will find plenty to choose from at the Saturday and Sunday horse sales (January 15-16) in conjunction with Ranching Heritage Weekend.
The highly anticipated Heritage Sale, highlighted by the American Quarter Horse Association’s Best of the Remuda Sale, begins Saturday in the John Justin Arena. The sale will feature 38 ranch geldings, broodmares, future stallions and top ranch yearlings who have been recognized by AQHA as one of the top ranch horse breeders.
Also on Saturday will be the 65th Annual Select Breeders Quarter Horse Sale, offering premium riding horses from invited breeders for consignment.
On Sunday, interested buyers will have the opportunity to see 10 outstanding ranch horse geldings compete in the Invitational Ranch Horse Show and Sale at Will Rogers Coliseum. The best geldings will be judged at the event, which will include ranch reining and cattle work. They will then be auctioned immediately after the competition.
“These sales feature some of the finest horses produced by these famous ranches,” said Lauren Lovelace-Murray, Stock Show Horse Show Manager. “For anyone looking for a solid competition or breeding prospect, these are the sales to be had.”
For more event and ticket information, visit the FWSSR website.
